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Installation for a GFCI outlet is supposed to be that the home-run (power for the entire circuit) is routed through the GFCI first, and then to the other outlets on that circuit, so that if anything on that circuit has a ground fault, it will trip the GFCI and the entire circuit. It should not trip the breaker, but if the GFCI outlet is wired first in line, and the garage door opener is powered by that same circuit, then yes, it will also kill power to the garage door opener and will have to be reset at the GFCI outlet. A way to test this is to be in the garage and push the test button on the GFCI. If the opener stops working, you have your answer.
Options at that point are to either find a different non-protected source of power for the opener, OR remove the GFCI from the circuit and replace with a regular outlet, OR get an opener with a battery backup (or install battery backup on the current opener if it is equipped to accept it). Kind of a PITA - I know.
Options at that point are to either find a different non-protected source of power for the opener, OR remove the GFCI from the circuit and replace with a regular outlet, OR get an opener with a battery backup (or install battery backup on the current opener if it is equipped to accept it). Kind of a PITA - I know.
I think Sears sells them I'll have to look it up and see what I can find. Is it difficult to set one of those battery backups up?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
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From: Hempstead, TX
My opener was set up to accept a backup and it was a matter of installing two screws into the motor head and connecting a plug between the battery pack and head. If your opener isn't set up for it, I'm not really sure what your options would be. A UPS system from a computer MIGHT work. I really don't know. If you haven't yet done so, hit the test button on the GFCI and see what happens to the garage door. Maybe it doesn't affect the opener. You would still have to be concerned with power outages, but at least you could rule that out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
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I used a computer ups on mine, but a big one. Like 1100kva. I used a killawatt meter n mine abd it oulkef 400 watts to open. Btw, your setup is a disaster waiting to happen. I know it isn't your fault, I might even run the plug for the garage outside so I could hook it up to a generator to open it.
I'll echo the awesome advice as knowledge Doug shared too.
I'll echo the awesome advice as knowledge Doug shared too.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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You should do some reading on wiring gfci plugs. There are actually two ways to wire them in. One way will allow the whole run to be protected or it can be setup to only protect that outlet. So if it trips the whole circuit it would be as easy as rewiring the gfci. I wired my outdoor gfci to only trip that one outlet for this exact reason
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
You should do some reading on wiring gfci plugs. There are actually two ways to wire them in. One way will allow the whole run to be protected or it can be setup to only protect that outlet. So if it trips the whole circuit it would be as easy as rewiring the gfci. I wired my outdoor gfci to only trip that one outlet for this exact reason
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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Good call, i guess you'd have to check your local codes if that worries you. Where I'm at in Canada, 2 years ago when i built, it was only a requirement that my outside plugs be gfci protected. I think my inside plugs had to be so high off the floor thou, probably for this reason. Passed inspection either way thou.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
Some areas of the world, the outlets have to be up 3' off the ground. I also noticed those are areas with regular outlets running 240V (ouch).
I like GFI outlets, but I do hate that one trips and they all go... *When wired that way
I like GFI outlets, but I do hate that one trips and they all go... *When wired that way
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